TIME OUT!!!!

It all started las Friday. My friend Traci was here and on the

spur of the moment I suggested that we go

to the Red Lobster for lunch and a little shopping.

That took care of the rest of Friday.

Saturday morning I had the meeting of the ATHA

chapter in Boonsboro and the on to meet

Richard at the mall to choose a Christmas tree.

That took all of Saturday. On Sunday after the morning

duties were finished, I worked on some handmade

Christmas present that I should have started

in August.

Monday I left home at 9:30 and shopped all

day until time to come home and feed

Eloise.

Tuesday I had a class to teach (morning gone)

and then into Boonsboro to pick up prescriptions

and a little shopping at the dollar store.

Wendesday was the luncheon and gift exchange

of my Pearl McGown Chapter hooking group.

This was near Ellicott City so of course, took

the whole day.

When I got up this morning my legs told me

that if I planned to go out today, they were

staying home and I would be without them

for the rest of the holiday. Also, it was fiercely

cold. It was time for a TIME OUT!

So the first order of business was to start

the wood stove. Coffee in front of the stove, dressed

warmly, a real treat.

Then I looked around - Oh my, Oh my -

Clothes hung over a chair

Pile of diry clothes on a small table in the
bedroom

Overflowing hamper

Sink full of dirty dishes

Trash overflowing.

Time for a whole day of TIME OUT!!!

Now it is about 5 in the evening and the mess is

all cleaned up and a few more things are fixed

for Christmas. In addition to cleaning the above mess

I have made 2 quarts of plain turkey gravy and

2 quarts of giblet gravy.

I have arranged my "Snow People" collection with

a center piece made of styrofoan and covered

with antique ornaments

These cuties sit on the edge of the table

I had decorated the tree last Sunday afternoon.

If you look closely you will see that the top

portion has no ornaments. I am not tall enough

to hang them and have to wait for Richard

to do that.

Close up of some of the ornaments.

My kitchen and dining area are all in one and I

have hung cute decorations on every door handle

in the kitchen area. It is really festive looking.

Most of the ornaments on the kitchen cabinets

are handmade either by me or by friends and

given as presents in past years.

I have fixed this arrangement to be used as a

center piece for the Christmas dining table. The

ornaments are all antique and very fragile so

no longer go on the tree.

They really look beautiful in these glass

candle holders.

The front door arrangement has been hung.

As well as the back door. I do not know why

but in the country everyone seems to come in

the back door. Have you noticed that?

And of course, my ever present helper. Under the

covers as usual on a cold, cold day. Just this little

foot and leg sticking out. I love her crazy poses under

the covers. She gives me a smile every day.

Hope each of you has caught the spirit of the season and is having a great time getting ready for the big day. I still have much to do but am looking forward to the family gathering. Take care of yourselves, keep warm, and above all, drive carefully in this busy season of the year.

Doris